403 Forbidden

If an email can sound ominous, the rather important one UAB issued Wednesday above the signature of President Ray Watts did.

That email had a lot more to say than simply stating that the school will announce by June 1 whether it's going to reinstate football, rifle and bowling.

It suggested that the new D-Day could be just as much of a punch in the gut as Dec. 2. Minus any awkward personal appearances.

This email told us how the final word on the three programs will come down: "This announcement will be made via our website, social media channels and by email."

So, in other words, no press conference? No need for Watts to stand up in public and defend the decision in his own voice to the university's stakeholders? No chance for any of those stakeholders or anyone in the media on their behalf to ask him questions about the decision?

That doesn't sound like a good sign for the #FreeUAB movement that wants the three sports restored.

Remember how badly the Dec. 2 press conference went for Watts after UAB announced it was killing the three programs? Scheduling a website, social media and email announcement could lead reasonable people to conclude that he doesn't want to swim through that lake of fire again.

There's one other passage in Wednesday's announcement that should cause UAB football supporters to curb their enthusiasm just a bit despite the success of their current fundraising campaign. It's a line that reveals the anticipated report from College Sports Solutions will be just one of the factors involved in the final decision.

"We will consider the report's findings, along with other important, valuable and mission-critical data, in order to make the best decision for UAB going forward, guided by our vision, mission and strategic plan."

What data? Only the data that supports a pre-determined conclusion like the last time?

Their vision, mission and strategic plan? The one that trustee Ron Gray suggested to Watts more than a year ago and that Watts has echoed since that says UAB should forget football and focus on building a top-10 basketball program?

Maybe Wednesday's announcement means none of those things. Maybe Watts and the administration really are keeping an open mind until all the relevant data has been compiled and all the important voices have been heard. Maybe Watts and new AD Mark Ingram will meet the press afterward and both of them will take questions.

Certainly the new D-Day will be different in its execution - but there's no guarantee it won't be another execution.

Three programs died the last time. This time could be the death of hope.